Alcohol in moderation is OK, but my grandfather was an alcoholic and it totally wrecked him to the point where he died before I could really get to know him.
Also, once you've seen how chronic alcoholics live, you really think twice before drinking too much....
It does suprise my friends though. I am very upfront that I am a lightweight, and sure enough after 2 or 3 strong beers I'm zig-zagging and rosy-cheeked. Over the years I've learned that more is not better with ethanol, and now that I know what level of intoxication I can function at I rarely have a hangover.
I never understood people who claim that "you can't taste the alcohol in [XYZ drink]!". I always can. Maybe it's the infrequency with which I drink or maybe I'm sensitive to it.